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Sandra Bland: Sheriff in case was fired from last police department after racism allegations Sheriff in Sandra Bland case was fired from last police department after racism allegations
(34 minutes later)
The senior police officer at the center of the controversial death of a black woman in police custody, was reportedly fired from his last job amid racism allegations.The senior police officer at the center of the controversial death of a black woman in police custody, was reportedly fired from his last job amid racism allegations.
Glenn Smith became sheriff of the Waller County Police Department the same year he was fired from his position at the Hempstead Police Department.Glenn Smith became sheriff of the Waller County Police Department the same year he was fired from his position at the Hempstead Police Department.
An Illinois woman named Sandra Bland, 28, was found hanged in an apparent suicide in Waller County, Texas jail cell three days after a routine traffic stop, ABC reported.An Illinois woman named Sandra Bland, 28, was found hanged in an apparent suicide in Waller County, Texas jail cell three days after a routine traffic stop, ABC reported.
The arrest of #SandraBland was recorded. I hear her saying the officer slammed her head on the ground. pic.twitter.com/BypLQuQjM4The arrest of #SandraBland was recorded. I hear her saying the officer slammed her head on the ground. pic.twitter.com/BypLQuQjM4
Sheriff Smith claimed that Ms Bland failed to use her turn signal then became combative during the traffic stop. Video of the arrest was soon posted online, Ms Bland could be heard saying: "You just slammed my head into the ground. Do you not even care about that? I can't even hear!"Ms Bland had just received her dream job at her alma mater Prairie View A&M University, she was also a Black Lives Matter activist, speaking out against the US criminal justice system's mistreatment of black Americans. Her family and friends remained skeptical of her death, and refused to believe she would have taken her own life.Sheriff Smith claimed that Ms Bland failed to use her turn signal then became combative during the traffic stop. Video of the arrest was soon posted online, Ms Bland could be heard saying: "You just slammed my head into the ground. Do you not even care about that? I can't even hear!"Ms Bland had just received her dream job at her alma mater Prairie View A&M University, she was also a Black Lives Matter activist, speaking out against the US criminal justice system's mistreatment of black Americans. Her family and friends remained skeptical of her death, and refused to believe she would have taken her own life.
Her friend Cheryl Nanton told The Independent that she feared foul play was involved.Her friend Cheryl Nanton told The Independent that she feared foul play was involved.
"I don't think she killed herself. It is very sad...We look out for our young men because there are so many incidents, but we don't expect this to happen to our daughters. People want to know what happened.""I don't think she killed herself. It is very sad...We look out for our young men because there are so many incidents, but we don't expect this to happen to our daughters. People want to know what happened."
The only member of Waller County PD able to comment on the case was Sheriff Smith. Activist and blogger Shaun King unearthed the 2008 reports that confirmed Glenn's firing from the Hempstead police department.The only member of Waller County PD able to comment on the case was Sheriff Smith. Activist and blogger Shaun King unearthed the 2008 reports that confirmed Glenn's firing from the Hempstead police department.
Still, the embattled Chief denied any wrongdoing: “In my opinion some of them possibly had an agenda for somebody else who is running for sheriff."Still, the embattled Chief denied any wrongdoing: “In my opinion some of them possibly had an agenda for somebody else who is running for sheriff."
Activist Herschel Smith told the Houston Chronicle that many residents were worried about police misconduct, sighting an incident where black children were forced to strip search during a mistaken drug raid led by Glenn.Activist Herschel Smith told the Houston Chronicle that many residents were worried about police misconduct, sighting an incident where black children were forced to strip search during a mistaken drug raid led by Glenn.
"He got off way too lightly considering his humiliation and mistreatment of young African American males," Herschel said."He got off way too lightly considering his humiliation and mistreatment of young African American males," Herschel said.
The Waller County Police Department and Hempstead Police Department declined The Independent's request to comment.The Waller County Police Department and Hempstead Police Department declined The Independent's request to comment.